Vietnam to host spiritual tourism talks

The first international conference on spiritual tourism will take place
in the northern province of Ninh Binh’s Bai Dinh Pagoda on November
21- 22, said an official from the Ministry of Culture, Sports and
Tourism at a press conference in Hanoi last week.

The
International Conference on Spiritual Tourism for Sustainable
Development will explore ways in which living culture, traditions and
beliefs can be integrated into tourism while respecting the four pillars
of sustainability: environment, economy, society and culture.

The
conference, jointly-organised by the World Tourism Organisation
(UNWTO), the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism and the Ninh Binh
People's Committee, is an initiative of UNWTO Secretary-General Taleb
Rifai.

Rifai made a study tour to Vietnam last year,
said the head of the ministry's National Administration of Tourism,
Nguyen Van Tuan.

The conference's discussion will focus on the significance of spiritual tourism, cultural exchange and responsible tourism.

A
statement on Spiritual Tourism for Sustainable Development will be
approved at the end of the two-day event, which expects to attract
between 340-350 participants, half of whom will be from overseas.

"Cultural
exchange and responsible tourism is a mode of exchange between people
and people in different regions, and nations to better understanding and
share cultures," he added.

Tuan said that spiritual
tourism reflects the tangible and intangible cultural heritage emanating
from temples, pagodas, religious structures and local customs.

He
said Vietnam will develop a variety of spiritual tourism lines such
as the triangular Hanoi- Ha Long- Ninh Binh tourism route.

Tourist destinations such as Bai Dinh Pagoda and Trang An
tourism have already been suggested as UNESCO world heritage sites. In
the first nine months of this year, Ninh Binh received 9 million
visitors, a year-on-year increase of 20 percent, the highest in the
nation.

"Although tourism has not contributed the lion's
share of the province's budget, it counts an important role in the local
socio-economic development," said Deputy Chairman of the provincial
People's Committee Tran Huu Binh.

Tourism development has
generated jobs for tens of thousands of local people. Income of the poor
households has significantly increased with a monthly income between
4-5 million VND (190-245 USD).-VNA